The mandatory ingredients for episode 11 weren’t all that difficult – especially the main course.  Halibut, maple sandwich cookies, baby fennel and aji pepper paste.  I like halibut and I like maple, so why not create a sauce out of cookie filling and paste?  One doesn’t even need a food processor – just a bit of mixing will do.

The filling is mixed with aji pepper paste for fish

Of course, first, the halibut must be seasoned – just a little bit of garlic powder and salt.  It’s then set aside.  Then, five or six sandwich cookies, remove the filling and place it in a bowl.  Add a couple of tablespoons of aji pepper and mix.  Spoon the paste on top of each piece of fish and cook in a 350 F oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.

While the fish is cooking, start making the fennel salad.  I’m keeping it simple, just chopping the fennel and then mixing it with some apples, shredded carrots and beets – to give the dish some colour.  Toss in a bit of olive oil and lemon juice and you have a beautiful, tasty salad.  Place the fish next to the salad and you now have a delicious, light lunch.  You can always serve the dish with a little bit of bread if you feel that you need something to neutralize the palate (sauce on the fish and the salad can be a bit “strong”).  I wouldn’t recommend anything else, however.

Image: Hong Vo/Shutterstock